Welcome to Rimutaka Baptist sermons. Join us for Worship Services every Sunday at 10 AM. We upload the sermons to YouTube by 5:30 PM Sunday evenings for those who are unable to make it to church. All our sermons are available for viewing on our YouTube channel, but you can also click on the videos included in the sermon blog posts below.
2021-07-25 Sermon – The Armour of God
This Sunday we come to the grand finale of Ephesians. Paul’s letter closes with a wonderful description of how we can fight the battles of the Faith. Join me as we dive deep into the meaning behind this wonderful and informative set of verses.
2021-07-18 Sermon – Not Lost, Just Confused
This Sunday John Gunn preaches a message on salvation and the Christian walk. Our salvation in Christ is guaranteed. Sometimes however we can get lost in the wilderness of life, and think we have lost our way, potentially even lost God Himself. But God is still there, we are just confused, it is time toContinue reading “2021-07-18 Sermon – Not Lost, Just Confused”
2021-07-11 Sermon – A day in the life of a Christian Soldier
This week we continue on in our sermon series in Ephesians by looking at what a day in the life of a Christian Soldier might look like before we put on our armor. Our minds and hearts must be focused on Christ. We need to know who we are and how to fight so thatContinue reading “2021-07-11 Sermon – A day in the life of a Christian Soldier”
2021-07-04 Sermon – Well-Being and Well-Doing
This Sunday we continue on in our sermon series by looking at part one of Chapter 4. Paul urges us to live a life worth of the calling you have received. We are going to learn that our well-being and well-doing are connected and that if we focus on these two areas in our faithContinue reading “2021-07-04 Sermon – Well-Being and Well-Doing”
2021-06-26 Sermon – What Dwells Within
This week we continue our sermon series in Ephesians and look at chapter 3. Here we see that Paul’s weakness is what qualifies him to preach the gospel. Paul’s weakness contrasted with the power of God is what proves his message to be authentic. This same power dwells in us, building us up in ChristContinue reading “2021-06-26 Sermon – What Dwells Within”
2021-06-20 Sermon – Remember to Re-Member
This Sunday we continue to look at Ephesians 1 and 2. Last week, we learnt how important it is to find our identity in Christ, to leave behind the old way of living for the rich new royal life we have inherit through Christ. Today we discuss how we can come together as individuals toContinue reading “2021-06-20 Sermon – Remember to Re-Member”
2021-06-13 Sermon – Royal Life
Today we begin a new sermon series in Ephesians. To begin with, Paul wants the Ephesians to know who they are. Their identity is now in Christ, they have a rich inheritance, empowered by God to be His people and His Church.
2021-06-06 Sermon – God Speaks, and We Fail to Trust Him
Join us today as Paul brings a message on how so often God speaks and we fail to listen. What truth should we be aware of in scripture and how will they help us to overcome doubt in the hard times.
2021-05-30 Sermon – Household Instructions
We continue on in our sermon series in Colossians by looking at Paul’s instructions to households. We look first at the historical context which will then help us to discern what learnings we should apply in our modern context.
2021-05-23 Sermon – Image-bearers
This Pentecost Sunday we continue our sermon series in Colossians by looking at chapter 3. Apprentices of Jesus are to know what it means to be image bearers and how to avoid idolatry and negative behaviours that impact ourselves and others. We also have some wonderful poetry by members of our Church.
2021-05-16 Sermon – Grand Designs: Jesus Edition
This week we continue on in our sermon series in Colossians by looking at Chapter 2. We look at what it means to have Christ dwell in us. How does the Holy Spirit renovate our hearts and what part do we have to play in the process. It’s Grand Designs: Jesus Edition!
2021-05-09 Sermon – Jesus is the centre
Today we continue our sermon series in Colossians and look at the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Making this a part of our lives will help us to mature in the faith and make us into better apprentices where Jesus is a part of everything we do.
2021-05-02 Sermon – Apprentice to Jesus
Join us today as we begin a new sermon series looking at what it means to be an apprentice to Jesus. We begin with Paul’s letter to the Colossians where He encourages the church to focus on their spiritual maturity, this will help them to face any challenges with endurance and patience.
2021-04-25 Sermon – Anzac Day Service
This Sunday we have a guest speaker who is going to share a deeply personal and spiritual story as we commemorate Anzac Day. Lest we forget!
2021-04-18 Sermon – The Three “I Love You’s”
This Sunday we come to the end of our sermon series in John with a particularly special encounter between Jesus and Peter. Peter is reinstated as shepherd and leader of the early church. What can we learn today if Jesus was to ask us the same questions, how might we participate in His grand story,Continue reading “2021-04-18 Sermon – The Three “I Love You’s””
2021-04-11 Sermon – Encounters with the Risen Lord
This week we look at the encounters Jesus had with His disciples including Mary and Thomas. What if any insights or lessons can we gain that will help us move ahead in our faith journeys as we begin to allow the Risen Christ to be at work within us.
2021-04-04 Sermon – Easter Sunday 2021
When we come to Easter nowadays, we know how it all turned out, so it’s quite different for us than it was for people at the time. In this sermon, we look at how people – some good and some bad– would have experienced the first Easter.
2021-04-02 Sermon – Good Friday 2021
Join us as we explore the message of Good Friday, and the meaning behind what Jesus did for us and why it is such good news for all mankind.
2021-03-28 Sermon – Palm Sunday
Today is Palm Sunday. In the sermon today we look at the account of John in Chapter 12 and we unpack what it might look like to welcome Jesus into our lives as King and how we might make the cross the center of our lives as we move beyond Easter.
2021-03-21 Sermon – Stations of the Cross
So often in our faith life we spend most of our time “consuming” God. But we are not meant to have a one sided relationship, so as we are nearing Easter, we take timeout as a church to focus solely on worshiping God by participating in the stations of the Cross. Join us and followContinue reading “2021-03-21 Sermon – Stations of the Cross”
2021-03-14 Sermon – Call to be Servants
This week we continue our sermon series in John by looking at Chapter 13 where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. We learn about what is means to be servant-hearted and love in a way God has called us too. We address the subject of pride and how by following four movements of love,Continue reading “2021-03-14 Sermon – Call to be Servants”
2021-03-07 Sermon – Jesus is Praying for You
This Sunday we look at John Chapter 17 and take an intimate look into a personal prayer of Jesus. A prayer Jesus prays to the Father and for His disciples and us. Yes did you know Jesus prayed for you in this prayer!
2021-02-28 Sermon – Thinking Well
This week we continue on in our sermon series in John looking at the rest of chapter 16. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death and resurrection. We gain an important insight into how we should adjust our thinking and put what we have learnt about the gospel into practice; this will see usContinue reading “2021-02-28 Sermon – Thinking Well”
2021-02-21 Sermon – Precious Gift
In this week’s Sermon we look at John 16:5-15. Jesus tells the disciples what to expect when He leaves. They are overcome by grief and so do not ask the right question. Jesus challenges them to focus on what will come after He leaves. The answer is truly wonderful!
2021-02-14 Sermon – Persecution
In this week’s sermon Jesus warns and teaches his disciples about the persecution they are to expect by being followers of His. We look at His core teachings and how we as the church can be prepared for when we face persecution now and in the future.
2021-02-07 Sermon – The True Vine
In today’s sermon we learnt what it means to be connected to the True Vine. The importance of obedience came to light once again. It is only through obedience that we keep our connection to God. We will also look at Jesus’ challenge to us to love each other.
2021-01-31 Sermon – If you love Me, you would…
Today we continue with our sermon series in John and look at Chapter 14:15-31. In this passage the role of the Father, Son and Spirit are unpacked for us and we begin to see how each person helps us to unite heart and will. We learn that the secret weapon Jesus uses to defeat theContinue reading “2021-01-31 Sermon – If you love Me, you would…”
2021-01-24 Sermon – An Undivided Heart
Today we pick up a sermon series in John we began last year and look at John 14:1-14. Following on from last week’s sermon and Jesus’ teaching on preparedness and not to worry, we look at how we can begin to learn how to control our emotions. A divided heart that has been taught toContinue reading “2021-01-24 Sermon – An Undivided Heart”
2021-01-17 Sermon – Lessons in God’s Time
Over the break I have been reflecting on God’s perfect timing. Thinking about God’s timing brings up many questions for us in our Christian journey. Join me as I unpack the differences between our timing and God’s timing and how we can move into a better place in our daily walk with Jesus.
2021-01-10 Sermon – Faith in Everyday Life
Today Robyn Mellar-Smith brings a message on Faith in everyday life drawing in Romans 5:1-11. Through Faith in Christ, we belong to God and it is by having our identity and belonging in Christ that we can face the trials in our everyday faith journeys.
2021-01-03 Sermon – Faith
This Sunday we hear from guest speaker Brian Krum who is the Baptist Youth Team Leader. Brian brings us a sermon on the subject of Faith. It is such an important topic for us to hear as we leave behind 2020 and usher in 2021. Last year took a tremendous amount of faith to getContinue reading “2021-01-03 Sermon – Faith”
2020-12-27 Sermon – Planning for the Future
In our service this morning, Neville brings a message on planning for the future. What do walnut trees and sheep have to do with the Christian walk? Tune in to find out!
2020-12-25 Sermon – Christmas 2020
The day has finally arrived, its Christmas! Once again we are able to reflect on the great love God has for us in sending His Son. It is an extraordinary story and yet quite similar to our own. In today’s sermon we look at how an event that happened over two thousand years ago isContinue reading “2020-12-25 Sermon – Christmas 2020”
2020-12-20 Sermon – Love
This is the fourth Sunday of Advent and our theme is love. What is love and what are its characteristics? Today we focus on the greatest expression of love, the gift of the Son. Only God can love us perfectly and once we experience that love it transforms us and we become people of thisContinue reading “2020-12-20 Sermon – Love”
2020-12-13 Sermon – Joy
Today is the third Sunday of Advent and we focus on the theme of Joy. There is a difference between worldly Joy and Godly Joy. In today’s sermon we learn how to tell the difference and how to access the fulness of Joy God promises.
2020-12-06 Sermon – Patterns of Peace
Today is the second Sunday of Advent and our theme is Peace. Throughout scripture we find a pattern for peace. If the people of God follow it, they will thrive. That doesn’t mean we won’t have trials but we will find that living under the loving direction of the Prince of Peace will make ourContinue reading “2020-12-06 Sermon – Patterns of Peace”
2020-11-29 Sermon – Hope
This is the first Sunday of Advent and our theme is Hope. What does the Bible say about Hope? Join us as we unpack the word in a way that will move us from hopelessness to a sure and tangible hope in the Person of Jesus Christ.
2020-11-22 Sermon – James
This Sunday we look at James the brother of Jesus in our short sermon series on people in the Bible. We look back in history to discover who James was. His message to us in his letter is to endure, not to be double -minded, to listen, to act on your faith and to tameContinue reading “2020-11-22 Sermon – James”
2020-11-08 Sermon – Ruth
This week we look at the account of Ruth in scripture. Ruth’s faithfulness is meant to point us to God’s faithfulness to us. Like Boaz was Ruth’s kinsmen redeemer, so Jesus is our kinsmen redeemer. Ruth ran toward God and this allowed God to be at work within her situation. Ruth is an inspiration.
2020-11-01 Sermon – Jonah
This week we look at the incredible story of Jonah. While at first one might think the focus is on the people of Nineveh one soon discovers that the story is actually about the heart of the Prophet who is struggling with the mystery of God’s mercy and justice.
2020-10-25 Sermon – Mind Filters
Last week we looked at the essentials we need to pack in our faith back pack. Today Paul gives the Philippians and us one last set of instructions for our faith journeys. Paul sets out a number of filters we need to consider as we consume information. Filters that will help us to have theContinue reading “2020-10-25 Sermon – Mind Filters”
2020-10-18 Sermon – Peace
In today’s sermon we hear from Paul about the peace of God that passes all understanding and that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. On the journey of faith just, like on a long camping trip, one must consider carefully how you pack your backpack. Paul teaches us what to fill our backpacksContinue reading “2020-10-18 Sermon – Peace”
2020-10-11 Sermon – Seeking the Interests of Jesus
This Sunday we continue on with our sermon series in Philippians by looking at the end of Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.
2020-10-04 Sermon – Shining Like Stars
Welcome to our Sunday Service. This week we continue with our sermon series in Philippians by looking at chapter 2:12-18. In this passage Paul encourages the Philippians to remember who they represent when relationships become messy. He gives great practical advice that we can apply in life today.
2020-09-27 Sermon – A Trinitarian Church
This Sunday we continue on with our sermon series in Philippians with chapter 2:1-11. In this part of his letter Paul encourages the church to focus on aspects of the Trinity and from God’s example build a Trinitarian Church. This will not only glorify God but make them strong and able to face anything theContinue reading “2020-09-27 Sermon – A Trinitarian Church”
2020-09-20 Sermon – God’s Unlikely People
Today, Neville brings a sermon on God’s Unlikely People. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are from or what you do, God can use you!
2020-09-13 Sermon – Carey Baptist College Sunday
This Sunday we are highlighting the important work of our Baptist training arm Carey Theological College. We hear from John Tucker , principal and my preaching and church history professor while I was in training. He preaches on the last words of Jesus before He ascended into Heaven. Enjoy!
2020-09-06 Sermon – For me to live is Christ
This week we continue our sermon series on Paul’s letter to the church at Phillipi. We look at Chapter 1, verses 12 to 30. What can we learn from this part of Paul’s letter? Suffering and persecution is part of being a follower of Jesus, but God will always use all events to advance HisContinue reading “2020-09-06 Sermon – For me to live is Christ”
2020-08-30 Sermon – Faith Seeking Understanding
This Sunday we begin a new sermon series looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul writes from “lockdown” in a prison in Rome with a surprisingly joyful tone. In his introduction of the letter, Paul prays that their love will “abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” He encourages them toContinue reading “2020-08-30 Sermon – Faith Seeking Understanding”
2020-08-23 Sermon – The Perfect Picture
This is the third and final week of Prayer and Self-Denial in support of our Baptist missionaries. God’s masterpiece is the fulfillment of His Will, it will be “Picture Perfect.” In the meantime we are blessed at times to see glimpses of the Kingdom. Psalm 27 is an encouragement in the times when we wonderContinue reading “2020-08-23 Sermon – The Perfect Picture”
2020-08-16 Sermon – Mending the Mess
This is week two of Prayer and Self-Denial, an annual appeal for our Baptist ministries working overseas. This week’s sub-theme is “Mending the Mess – God is weaving our threads together.” God uses every thread of our lives, the good and the bad, to draw us closer to Him. God is in the business ofContinue reading “2020-08-16 Sermon – Mending the Mess”
2020-08-09 Sunday Sermon – Woven Together
This is the first week of New Zealand Baptist’s prayer and self-denial appeal in support of our missionaries based overseas. This year’s theme is The Master’s Piece derived from the well-know metaphor of a beautiful woven tapestry. This week we look at Whiriwhiri te tangata which means woven together or God is weaving the people.Continue reading “2020-08-09 Sunday Sermon – Woven Together”
2020-08-02 Sermon – Sweet Aroma
In this week’s sermon, we look at John chapter 12. Here we see Mary’s extravagant anointing of Jesus which is a deeply personal act of praise and thanksgiving. This is in stark contrast to the attitude of Judas, who gives the impression of holiness and piousness, but this is merely to mask his selfish andContinue reading “2020-08-02 Sermon – Sweet Aroma”
2020-07-26 Sermon- I am the Resurrection and the Life
John 11 tells of the resurrection of Lazarus. In this chapter we see that although God knows the outcome of all things, yet He sympathizes which us and shared in our grief. Even though Jesus knew that He would resurrect Lazarus, he still shared the grief of Martha and Mary. Verse 35 is one ofContinue reading “2020-07-26 Sermon- I am the Resurrection and the Life”
2020-07-19 Sermon – Good Shepherd, Good Sheep
In John chapter 10, Jesus uses the metaphor of sheep and shepherd to teach His disciples about the nature of the Kingdom of God. We see that Jesus is both the Gate and the Good Shepherd, and we also learn what it takes to be a good sheep! Join us as we examine this amazingContinue reading “2020-07-19 Sermon – Good Shepherd, Good Sheep”
2020-07-21 Sermon – Unhurried and Unafraid
John, Chapter 7 In the Gospel of John, chapter 7, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to attend the festival of Tabernacles. But He does not travel with His brothers. He goes up in His own time, travelling alone because He knows the Father will always be at His side and He has in mind theContinue reading “2020-07-21 Sermon – Unhurried and Unafraid”
In the Gospel of John, chapter 7, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to attend the festival of Tabernacles. But He does not travel with His brothers. He goes up in His own time, travelling alone because He knows the Father will always be at His side and He has in mind the timing of God, not of man. Join us as we discern the lessons we can learn from Jesus in this chapter. Let us choose to journey with Jesus, and prioritize God’s will and His schedule above that of the world, so we can also be Unhurried and Unafraid.
In the gospel of John, chapter 6, we read the popular account of the miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand, followed by Jesus’ teaching on the Bread of Life. Join us today as we discover the meaning of Jesus’ teaching together, using our “Son” glasses to discern the spiritual truths in this passage.
This week we look at the Gospel of John chapter 5:18-47. Jesus answers the accusations by the Jewish leaders that He was breaking the Sabbath and making Himself equal to God. We look at the ways in which Jesus illustrates that the Son is like the Father.
This Sunday we compare and contrast the healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-17) to that of the blind man in John chapter 9. What are the similarities and differences in these two healing events? Although Jesus extends the same love and grace to both men, the one has an open heart towards believing in Jesus while the other one’s heart was blind. Join us today as we consider what we can learn from these two remarkable events.
In this week’s sermon we see how different people respond to Jesus. We want to be people who respond to Jesus in praise because of who He is, not only because of what He does for us. We want to be people that take Jesus at His Word. (John 4:43-54)
A Samaritan woman encounters Jesus at a well. She finds a man who knows everything about her life, and Jesus declares to her that He is the Messiah. We learn what it means to worship in spirit and in truth, and how we should all own our own faith. Join us today in celebrating the Lord’s supper after the sermon.
This week we look at the final portion of the Gospel of John chapter 3. In verses 22 to 36, John testifies again about Jesus. We can learn much from John’s ministry; Repentance, Following Jesus in Obedience, and finally, letting Jesus Lead the way, we can echo the words of John in verse 30; “He must become greater; I must become less” as we journey towards our final goal; Eternal life in Christ Jesus.
We continue with our journey through the Gospel of John this week. Join us as we look at Jesus’ remarkable dialogue with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jews.
Continuing with our sermon series on the Gospel of John, this Sunday we read the account of Jesus clearing the temple courts (John 2:13-25). This account has profound significance for us today, both in our individual faith journeys as disciples, and also corporately as members of the Church, the body of Christ.
The fourth installment of our series on the Gospel of John brings us to the account of the Wedding at Cana. Join Jesus and His mother for an event that will change the course of history. The symbolism is vast and still pertinent for us today.
As we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, we look at the last part of Chapter 1, where the disciples have their first encounter with Jesus. The similarities between their stories and ours are remarkable. Join us as we share communion together at the end of the sermon.
This Sunday we continue with our sermon series on the Gospel of John. In John 1:19-34, the emphasis is on John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus. But just who is John the Baptist, and what can we learn from him as believers today?
This week we begin a new sermon series on the gospel of John. We begin with a heavenly announcement that reveals Jesus as the Word, eternally existing with the Father, and who was made flesh and dwelt among us, bringing His life, light, grace and truth to humanity.
This Sunday, we look at the resurrection experiences from the perspectives of Mary, Peter and John. May they inspire us and encourage us in our own walk of faith.
This Good Friday, join us in the garden as we encounter Jesus in the final hours of freedom before the cross. May the story of Easter impact each and every one of us afresh. and inspire us to follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome to Holy Week. In this week’s sermon, we focus on events leading up to and including the Last Supper. Join us for communion during the service.
This Sunday we begin our journey to Easter. Reading from Mark 11:1-14, we look at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the extraordinary incident of the cursing of the fig tree. What is the meaning behind these events? Laurie explains the cultural and historical underpinnings that can enrich our understanding of these events in the life of our King and Saviour, Jesus.
This is the final sermon in our series on Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Paul provides final instructions to the Thessalonians on how to live as disciples of Jesus while they await the Lord’s return. He deals with practical ways in which we can love our neighbors and also how we can love God.
In this sermon, Laurie talks about Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica. The scripture reading is from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 5:11. Paul encourages the church to comfort each other with the coming of the Lord and to walk in hope.
